New BMW Z4 enjoys mid-life facelift

The facelifted 2013 BMW Z4 has been revealed, and we're happy to report BMW hasn't completely ruined it. The company hasn't improved it dramatically either, but it was always a fine specimen so relatively little news is good news, we suppose.

The 2013 BMW Z4 has a few minor tweaks.

The revised car gets slightly tweaked LED lamps, which now act as daytime running lights, a choice of new 18-inch alloys and a new range of paint finishes. More notably, BMW has added a new turbocharged 2.0-litre engine to the range, which brings 154bhp and 177lb-ft of torque - enough for the Z4 to hit 62mph in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 137mph. That's not at all shabby, considering CO2 emissions of 159g/km and 41.5mpg.

If that sounds a little too reserved for you, there are sprightlier engines available. These include the rapid TwinPower Turbo SDrive35is and the slightly smaller sDrive28i and sDrive20i. The top spec car will hit 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds and 155mph.

For lazy cruising, an eight-speed automatic has been added as an option and BMW's chucked in an expanded version of its ConnectedDrive system. This features BMW's optional Real Time Traffic Information system, which guides you along routes that have fewest tailbacks.

If you want must insist on sprucing up the bodywork, a few extra pennies will get you a new styling pack, which gives you a fetching burnt orange colour on both the outside and the interior. You can also slap in some leather and Fineline Anthracite wood, though these are only available with the sDrive28i version and above.

There's no word on an M version, but BMW does provide the option of the M Sport package, which gives you custom suspension settings, a slightly exterior body kit and interior and alloy wheels unique to the upgrade.

The new roadster will hit the UK in April - just in time for a bit of sunny weather, perhaps. Prices are expected to be similar to the outgoing Z4.